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Obituaries 08-02-2018

James E. Smallwood, a Vietnam-era veteran and union electrician, passed away Wednesday, July 25 at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a long illness. He was 60 years old.

Born in Michigan, he was raised in Chelsea, a beloved son of the late James and Lorraine Ann (Cook) Smallwood. Jim attended Chelsea schools and enlisted in the US Navy, served during the Vietnam era, was honorably discharged and received the National Defense Medal for his service. After returning to civilian life, he attended college and attained an associates degree.

Jim was a resident of Winthrop for the past 25 years and was formerly of Chelsea. He was a union electrician and was a proud member of IBEW local 103 Boston. He worked as a facilities electrician at the VA Hospital in Jamaica Plain.

In his lifetime, he enjoyed time spent at the ocean and playing games of chance. Jim would always volunteer and lend his helping hand to assist any fellow veteran in need and he was an ardent supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.

James was the beloved husband and life companion of 25 years to Deborah A. (McKennon) Smallwood, devoted father of Jimmy and his wife, Linda of Saugus, Paul of Saugus, Nicholas of Foxboro and the late Billy. He was the dear brother of Patrick of Saugus and Billy and his wife, Carolyn of Medford; cherished “Pop-pop” to Paul and Papa to Christina and Rocco, all of Saugus and Autumn of Foxboro; loving godfather of Zendaya of Winthrop and Ryan of Saugus. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Tosie Collins, known as ‘Tiger,’ was born on Feb. 11, 1929 in Shreveport, Louisiana and was in the U.S. Airforce from 1946 to 1966. In February of 1980, Tosie married Marie Duval and in November of 1979, Marie gave birth to their only daughter, Sabina Collins.

Tosie was always loving, generous, compassionate and hospitable. Even in his later years, he continued to show his kindness to everyone around him. Every time you would ask him how he was doing, his answer was always the same, “Better than most.”

Tosie is survived by his sister, Lenora Collins Hicks of Kansas City, Missouri; two nephews, James, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri and Michael Hicks of Evans, Ga. and great nieces, Cheryl Hicks and Ashley Hicks and his daughter, Sabina Collins of Medford.